TESSELESCENCE (COMPOUND YELLOW)
Tesselescence (Compound Yellow) was a 2023 solo exhibition by Keeley Haftner at Compound Yellow in Oak Park, USA. Centered on a site-specific wall painting created from leftover paint accumulated by the artist-run space, the exhibition used these residual materials as both its structural and conceptual framework. The title, “Tesselescence”—a portmanteau of “tessellation” and “obsolescence”—reflects Haftner’s ongoing engagement with pattern, transformation, and the evolving afterlives of discarded materials.
tessellating//materializing
In addition to this site-specific painted installation, Tesselescence (Compound Yellow) showcases a serial iteration of Keeley Haftner’s ongoing Material Biases (2018–present), which challenges the assumption that matter exists for human use. Working intuitively with waste materials, Haftner creates condensed installations composed of three elements: a Site (wall painting), an Object (support), and a Subject (central focus).
To create the work, four Chicago-based artists—Alberto Aguilar, Arnold J. Kemp, Laura Shaeffer, and Lisa Walcott—were invited to contribute Subjects for newly developed Material Bias Objects, while a fifth work centers on plastic glitter, reflecting on its then-recent ban in Europe as a polluting microplastic. Unlike Haftner’s typical research-driven process, these works begin with intuitive material exploration, followed by intensive chemical analysis that documents the scientific composition of each component.
Also included in the exhibition is an abstracted projection of Haftner’s Elements of Waste - a visual artist statement used to both curate and contain the waste materials with which she chooses to engage. This is an early and experimental engagement with this evolving rubric.
"Material Bias in Thumbnails (Lisa Walcott)," 43 x 43 x 11cm, 2023 Isocyanic acid, polymethylenepolyphenylene ester, 2-propanol 1-chloro- phosphate (3:1), propane, 2-methyl- propane, dimethyl ether, +[proprietary] (insulation foam), polyvinyl chloride, phthalates (mouth valve), polypropylene (spray paint cap), esters, hydrocarbons, free fatty acids (beeswax), adipic acid, hexamethylenediamine, polyamides [dicarboxylic acid, diamine, amino acids, or and/or lactam] (nylon webbing strap), neodymium, iron, boron (rare earth magnet), ethylene-vinyl acetate, terpene, phenol (hot glue), polylactic acid (plastic shelf), ethylcyanoacrylate (instant CA adhesive), tungsten, chromium, vanadium, molybdenum (finishing nails), cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, urea-formaldehyde (plywood), cellulose, phenoformaldehyde (medium density fiberboard), polyvinyl acetate (wood glue), cellulose, polyester, carbon, urethane, methylpyrrolidone, triethylamine (velour paper), polystyrene, cellulose, kaolin (foamcore), barium sulfate, cadmium sulfide, cadmium selenide, barium sulfate, cadmium sulfide, zinc sulfide, copper chloride doped, ammonium hydroxide, propylene glycol (yellow-orange fluid airbrush acrylic), acetone, hexane, propane, butane, heptane, aliphatic hydrocarbon, cyclohexane, toluene, cyclopentane (spray adhesive), titanium dioxide, kaolin, silicate minerals, caclive, dolomite, cellulose ether, alkanes, aliphatic ester, monohydric alcohol, hydroxy aliphatic ester, p-methoxycinnamie aliphatic diester, p-hydroxycinnamic aliphatic diester (white coloured pencil), graphite, sodium bentonite (pencil), acrylate, methacrylate, acrylic acid (acid-free photo tape), ethylene glycol, titanium dioxide, 1,2-benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one, 5-chloro-2-methyl-2H-isothiazol-2-one and 2-methyl-2H-isothiazol-3-one (paintable acrylic sealant), carbon, dihydrogen monoxide (India ink), iron, carbon, manganese, silicon, copper, chromium (screws/keyhole hanger), xylene, toluene, urethane resin (permanent marker).
"Material Bias in Memories (Alberto Aguilar)," 43 x 43 x 6cm, 2023 ICellulose, lignin, hemicellulose, + urethane and/or polyurethane (wooden chopsticks purchased at H mart); cellulose, lignin, hemicellulose (bamboo), cellulose (cotton) (fragment of bamboo mat once used by my daughters to make sushi); polyvinyl chloride, thermoplastic elastomers, and/or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, 1,2-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid diisononyl ester (figurine), + possibly ammonium hydroxide, propylene glycol, crystalline silica, iron oxide, and/or titanium dioxide (proprietary paint) (remaining figurine from my children's past toy animal collection); acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, colourant (Playmobil toy basket); silica, +/- alumina, magnesia, and/or iron, +/- potassium, sodium, and/or calcium (clay), acrylic polymer emulsion, mica particles, metal oxides [iron oxide, titanium oxide, or other] (iridescent acrylic paint) (clay miniature pot of unknown origin); paraffin, cellulose (candle from last year's holiday dinners); silicone dioxide (agate), magnesium/calcium/iron/aluminum/titanium oxide, silicon dioxide, alkali elements (basalt), potassium aluminum silicate (orthoclase feldspar), silica, alumina, alkali metals, iron, magnesium, +/- calcium oxide, titanium dioxide, phosphorus pentoxide (granite), silicon dioxide, silica, calcium carbonate, iron oxide, +/- aluminum/potassium oxide (rocks from the collection of Margarita Moreno which she showed in Amuleto, an exhibition that took place at Mayfield [our artist run space], last spring); kalanchoe blossfeldiana ((Calandiva flower given to us as gift by Alexandra Sanchez, my son's girlfriend [the plant, grown in Canada, came in a day of the dead skull planter]); dihydrogen oxide (Lake Michigan water); polyethylene terephthalate glycol (plastic shelf); ethylcyanoacrylate (instant CA adhesive); tungsten, chromium, vanadium, molybdenum (finishing nails); toluene, xylenes, acetone, 2-butoxyethanol, ethylbenzene, titanium dioxide, iron oxide, +/- dimethyl glutarate/glycol ethers ("Skin Colour Urban Art" spray paint); cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, urea-formaldehyde (plywood); cellulose, phenoformaldehyde (medium density fiberboard); polyvinyl acetate (wood glue); polyvinyl acrylic, titanium dioxide, calcium carbonate, calcium-magnesium carbonate, benzisothiazole (white latex paint); polyvinyl acrylic, barium sulfate, cadmium sulfide, cadmium selenide (Cadmium Orange Light acrylic paint); polyvinyl acrylic, crystalline silica, iron oxide (Burnt Sienna acrylic paint); polyvinyl acrylic, copper (Phthalo Blue acrylic paint); polyvinyl acrylic, aluminium hydroxide, amorphous silica, copper, titanium dioxide (Ultramarine Blue acrylic paint); polyvinyl acrylic, copper (Phthalo Green acrylic paint); polyvinyl acrylic, aluminium hydroxide, amorphous silica, titanium dioxide (Titanium White acrylic paint); polyvinyl acrylic, carbon (Carbon Black acrylic paint); iron, carbon, manganese, silicon, copper, chromium (screws/keyhole hanger); xylene, toluene, urethane resin (permanent marker).
"Material Bias in Glitter (Contraband)," 43 x 43 x 5cm, 2023. UNDER RESEARCH: (gold takeout container lid), (silver takeout container lid), (glitter), (plastic viles) naphtha, ethyl acetate, methyl ethyl ketone, colophony, n-hexane, zinc oxide, butylated p-cresol/dicyclopentadiene (montage kit adhesive) cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, urea-formaldehyde (plywood) cellulose, phenoformaldehyde (medium density fiberboard) polyvinyl acetate (wood glue) polyethylene terephthalate glycol (recycled PETG) ethylcyanoacrylate (instant CA adhesive) tungsten, chromium, vanadium, molybdenum (finishing nails) iron, carbon, manganese, silicon, copper, chromium (screws/keyhole hanger) xylene, toluene, urethane resin (permanent marker).
"Material Bias in Magic (Arnold J. Kemp)," 43 x 43 x 8.5cm, 2023. UNDER RESEARCH: Carbon monoxide, silicon carbide, amorphous silicate, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, dihydrogen oxide, polyformaldehyde, etc. (stardust), collagen, chromium sulfate, sodium sulfide, and/or formic acid (leather), silicon dioxide, sodium oxide, sodiumcarbonate, calcium oxide, iron oxide, chromium oxide [glass], colourants (cylinder seed beads), holocellulose, lignin (tree bark), polyethylene terephthalate glycol (plastic shelf), ethylcyanoacrylate (instant CA adhesive), tungsten, chromium, vanadium, molybdenum (finishing nails), (silver leaf), (silver leaf adhesive), carbon (char), (dark brown pencil crayon), (red brown pencil crayon), (light brown pencil crayon), (light yellow pencil crayon), (white pencil crayon), (clear spray lacquer), cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, urea-formaldehyde (plywood), cellulose, phenoformaldehyde (medium density fiberboard), polyvinyl acetate (wood glue) iron, carbon, manganese, silicon, copper, chromium (screws/keyhole hanger), xylene, toluene, urethane resin (permanent marker).
!["Material Bias in Tape (Laura Shaeffer)," 43 x 43 x 7.5cm, 2023.
UNDER RESEARCH: (Paintblock FrogTape) cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, styrene-butadiene polymers OR styrene-acrylic polymers, [proprietary crepe paper], Auramine O diarylmethane [b](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/50eb7bdbe4b01d0addd79011/1703148792385-BJ2BI2W9TBT3KTRJW1IT/042_web.JPG)
"Material Bias in Tape (Laura Shaeffer)," 43 x 43 x 7.5cm, 2023. UNDER RESEARCH: (Paintblock FrogTape) cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, styrene-butadiene polymers OR styrene-acrylic polymers, [proprietary crepe paper], Auramine O diarylmethane [basic yellow dye], silicon-oxygen lattice with silicate OR silsesquioxane WITH methyl OR phenyl [proprietary silicone rubber adhesive] (plastic shelf), polyethylene terephthalate glycol, (instant CA adhesive), ethylcyanoacrylate, (finishing nails) tungsten, chromium, vanadium, molybdenum, (gold leaf), (gold leaf adhesive), (clear spray lacquer) isobutene, xylene, n-butyl acetate, ethylbenzene, (cotton rag paper) cellulose, hydrolyzed collagen (acid-free photo tape) acrylate, methacrylate, acrylic acid (spray adhesive) acetone, hexane, propane, butane, heptane, aliphatic hydrocarbon, cyclohexane, toluene, cyclopentane (pencil) graphite, sodium bentonite (Micron Pigma archival ink) (Cadmium Yellow Middle) barium sulfate, cadmium sulfide, zinc sulfide, copper chloride doped (Cadmium Red Light) barium sulfate, cadmium sulfide, cadmium selenide (Cadmium Red Deep) barium sulfate, cadmium sulfide, cadmium selenide (Turquoise) (Diaoxazine Violet) carbazole dioxazine (Burnt Umber) crystalline silica, iron oxide, manganese (Powder Blue) (Burnt Ochre) (Burnt Sienna) crystalline silica, iron oxide (Smokey Deep Blue) (gouache medium) (Cadmium Yellow Lemon) cadmium sulphide (Pthalo Blue) copper (Pthalo Green) copper (watercolour medium) (plywood) cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, urea-formaldehyde (medium density fiberboard) cellulose, phenoformaldehyde (wood glue) polyvinyl acetate (screws/keyhole hanger) iron, carbon, manganese, silicon, copper, chromium (permanent marker) xylene, toluene, urethane resin.
Tesselescence (Compound Yellow)
Latex paint left from previous Compound Yellow exhibitions, Compound Yellow Gallery, waste (empty paint cans, tape, paint roller, and plastic bag)_1057 x 264 x 266cm_2023
“Tesselescence (Compound Yellow)” is the next in a series of installations that reveal the visual history of an artist-run space using leftover paint from their previous exhibitions. Integral to this process is the careful processing of the cumulative resources that these kinds of spaces accrue, such as latex paint ranging from fresh to spoiled, or disorganized inventories. The term “Tesselescence" comes from a larger, ongoing series of work begun in 2014, which encompasses many transformative processes of waste materials. It is a portmanteau combining the concepts of “tessellation” (a two-dimensional pattern with a three-dimensional effect) and “obsolescence,” be it unintentional or planned. The site-specific painting that results from this process serves as a framework for the artworks in the exhibition.
Image Credits: Bob.